NH man on trial in death of Maine fiancee in 2007

ALFRED, Maine — A prosecutor says a 29-year-old New Hampshire man charged with killing his former fiancee in Maine lied to police about his whereabouts, telling them he was in Rochester, N.H., when he actually was 180 miles away, near the site where the woman’s body was found.

The defense, meanwhile, told jurors at the start of the trial on Monday that Jason Twardus of Rochester, N.H., was set up by others who wanted to frame him for the killing.

The Portland Press Herald says Twardus lived with the victim, Kelly Gorham of Alfred, for two years before she broke off their engagement two months before her death in August 2007. Her body was found a month later on property owned by Twardus’ father in northern New Hampshire.